Vertebral Column

Question 1

what is the main role of the vertebral column

Answer 1

to protect the spinal cord and transfer loads from the head, neck, and upper limb to the pelvis

Question 2

describe the curvature of each region of the spine

Answer 2

thoracic and sacral are convex and cervical and lumbar are concave

Question 3

which spinal curvatures develop first

Answer 3

the convex curvatures

Question 4

describe (in general) the developing spine of an infant

Answer 4

the spine of an infant at birth is C shaped, neck muscles start to develop forming the cervical curve of the spine, as the baby learns to crawl the lumbar curve starts to develop, when the baby walks all of the curves are developed fully

Question 5

what are all of the palpable skeletal landmarks for the spinal column

Answer 5

• cervicothoracic junction (C7)
• scapular spine (T3)
• inferior scapular angle (T7)
• 12th rib (T12)
• iliac crest (L4)

Question 6

where is the greatest range of flexion in the spinal cord

Answer 6

the lumbar region

Question 7

where does rotation of the trunk primarily occur

Answer 7

thoracic region

Question 8

which area of the spinal cord has the greatest range of motion

Answer 8

the craniocervical region

Question 9

what is another name for C1

Answer 9

atlas

Question 10

what is another name for C2

Answer 10

axis

Question 11

what does flexion of the cervical spine look like

Answer 11

looking down

Question 12

what impedes flexion in the cervical spine

Answer 12

vertebral bodies

Question 13

what does extension of the cervical spine look like

Answer 13

looking up, large ROM

Question 14

what is extension of the cervical spine accomadated by

Answer 14

vertebral bodies

Question 15

what cervical joint allows for rocking and rolling of the neck

Answer 15

atlanto-occipital joint

Question 16

what does axial rotation of the cervical spine look like

Answer 16

looking right or left

Question 17

where does the vertebral artery run through in the cervical spine

Answer 17

the transverse foramina of C2 and C1

Question 18

what would cause impingement of the vertebral arteries

Answer 18

osteoarthritis/bone spurs, rapid and/or forceful twisting of the head and neck, atherosclerosis/arteriosclerosis of vertebral artery

Question 19

what would be the physical manifestation/symptoms of vertebral artery impingement

Answer 19

vertigo/dizziness, syncope, visual disturbance

Question 20

what limits flexion and extension in the thoracic region of the spine

Answer 20

-ribs
-articular and spinous processes
-ligaments
-thinness of intervertebral discs

Question 21

describe flexion and extension in the lumbar region

Answer 21

relatively free

Question 22

what limits lateral flexion/bending in the thoracic region

Answer 22

articular processes and ligaments

Question 23

describe the extent of lateral flexion and bending in the lumbar region

Answer 23

somewhat minimal

Question 24

what promotes rotation of the trunk during bipedal locomotion (walking) in humans

Answer 24

orientation of articular processes

Question 25

what limits trunk rotation in the lumbar region

Answer 25

the shape and orientation of the lumbar articular processes and facets

Question 26

what is the weight bearing part of the vertebrae

Answer 26

the vertebral body

Question 27

what are some hallmark features of C1

Answer 27

no spinous process, facet for dens, and no vertebral body

Question 28

what are some hallmark features of C2

Answer 28

the dens

Question 29

describe the bodies of cervical vertebrae

Answer 29

smaller and rectangle/oval shaped

Question 30

why is the vertebral foramina so large in the cervical vertebrae

Answer 30

to accommodate the cervical enlargement

Question 31

what is a supernumerary rib

Answer 31

an extra rib arising from the 7th cervical vertebrae

Question 32

why is a supernumerary rib dangerous

Answer 32

it can result in thoracic outlet syndrome which is the impediment of blood flow from compressing the cervical vessels

Question 33

what are the 3 common variants of cervical ribs

Answer 33

rudimentary, fused with first thoracic rub, and fully developed

Question 34

describe the shape of thoracic vertebral bodies

Answer 34

heart or triangle shaped

Question 35

describe the size of the vertebral foramina and what runs through it in the thoracic region

Answer 35

it is the smallest in the thoracic region of the spinal cord and spinal nerves run through it

Question 36

describe the spinous processes of cervical vertebrae

Answer 36

short, bifid, projects directly posteriorly

Question 37

describe the transverse processes of cervical vertbrae

Answer 37

contains foramina

Question 38

describe the spinous processes of thoracic vertebrae

Answer 38

long; sharp; projects inferiorly

Question 39

describe what the transverse processes do in thoracic vertebrae

Answer 39

bear facets for ribs

Question 40

describe the spinous processes in lumbar vertebrae

Answer 40

short, blunt, rectangular, projects directly posteriorly

Question 41

describe transverse processes in lumbar vertebrae

Answer 41

thin and tapered

Question 42

what type of joint exist in the spinal column (with the exception of in between vertebral bodies)

Answer 42

synovial joints

Question 43

what makes up the sacrum

Answer 43

5 fused vertebrae

Question 44

what is the function of the sacrum

Answer 44

-provides strength and stability to the pelvis - houses and anchors the inferior part of the spinal cord

Question 45

where does T12 articulate with S1

Answer 45

the sacral promontory

Question 46

where do coccyx and sacrum articulate

Answer 46

the coccygeal cornu and sacral cornu

Question 47

what do ligaments connect

Answer 47

bone to bone

Question 48

what do tendons connect

Answer 48

bone to muscle

Question 49

what layers make up the thoracolumbar fascia from anterior to posterior

Answer 49

anterior layer (quadratus lumborum fascia), middle layer, posterior layer

Question 50

what makes up the anterior layer of the thoacolumbar fascia

Answer 50

quadratus lumbora

Question 51

what muscle is in the middle layer of the thoracolumbar fascia

Answer 51

erector spinae muscles

Question 52

what muscle is in the posterior layer of the thoracolumbar fascia

Answer 52

the latissimus dorsi

Question 53

what muscle is important in flexion of the vertebral column

Answer 53

psoas major

Question 54

what muscle is important in extension of the vertebrae

Answer 54

intrinsic deep back muscles

Question 55

what are the 2 parts that make up the intervertebral disc

Answer 55

nucleus pulposus and annulus fibrosus

Question 56

describe the nucleus pulposus

Answer 56

spongy

Question 57

what does the annulus fibrosis do

Answer 57

provides joint connection between vertebral bodies

Question 58

what ligament exists between processes

Answer 58

interspinous ligament

Question 59

where are intervertebral discs the thickest

Answer 59

in the lumbar region where they bear the most weight

Question 60

what is kyphosis

Answer 60

abnormal or exaggerated thoracic curvature (convex)

Question 61

what does kyphosis result from

Answer 61

developmental abnormalities, trauma or degenerative diseases

Question 62

what is lordosis

Answer 62

abnormal or exaggerates lumbar curvature (concave)

Question 63

what causes lordosis

Answer 63

congenital abnormalities, musculoskeletal problems, degenerative diseases

Question 64

what is scoliosis

Answer 64

abnormal or exaggerated lateral curvature of the spine

Question 65

what causes scoliosis

Answer 65

congenital, neuromuscular, idiopathic

Question 66

where is the most common place for herniated discs to occur and what is the most common area of herniation

Answer 66

tends to occur in the lumbar region, and occurs in the posterolateral direction

Question 67

what are the possible herniations of discs in the cervical region and what do they affect

Answer 67

central stenosis (affects spinal cord) , foraminal stenosis (affects spinal nerves), and herniated disk (affects spinal nerves)

Question 68

what are the causes of thoracic disc herniation

Answer 68

-result of wear and tear - sudden and forceful twisting of the midback region

Question 69

what are the causes of lumbar disc herniation

Answer 69

-lumbar bears the most weight - frequent bending, twisting, and improper lifting increases load on tendons and intervertebral discs - acute or sudden injury

Question 70

what is spondylolisthesis

Answer 70

anterior/ventral displacement of one vertebra on adjacent